That quote is rather cliché, but I just had to mention it for its relevance to this post. Somewhat.
It’s been a while since I have been telling whoever cared to listen that I wanted to do a ‘comprehensive’ medical check-up. It was soon time to travel to the NYSC camp, and I had not yet done anything. Then, I promised myself that would be one of the first things I would do immediately after camp. Circumstances beyond my outright control (including getting appointed as part of the next set of transitional executives of the Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship in Benue State) meant I had to remain longer than I had planned to, immediately after camp.
Long story short: so I called my guardian and he asked a number of questions, including where my PPA is. Then I broached the topic of health, and how I had been getting tired and exhausted easily, even with minimal physical exertion, bla bla bla. When I mentioned that I intended to do a ‘comprehensive’ medical check-up, guess what he said? “Is that what you want to be spending your money on? Just make sure you rest well…” If you get where I am headed, this was someone who would have picked up the bill several months back, but here he was making me realize again that as a young man, I had to sort out such bills myself!
Gone are those days as a child when one’s parents and guardians paid those medical bills, amongst others. Now that I have to part with what could be as much as an equivalent of $200, I have found myself thinking twice, thrice, and again! I am thinking of the opportunity cost, but I also remember the Assistant Director, Lectures, back at the orientation camp who kept reminding us that most Nigerians are always eager to fix their cars, but hardly go for an annual medical check-up. I don’t have a car yet, but I get the drift. We seem to pay more attention to maintaining our gadgets than our health (in my case, I’d probably spend my last kobo on buying books or maybe paying for internet subscription so I could have access to reading material online.) I still imagine the caliber and number of books that would buy me if I walked into Laterna Bookshop on Victoria Island.
But, only the living and healthy will be able to read, eat… whatever!
So, when last did you go for a medical check-up? How well do you take some time to rest? It is disheartening to hear of breadwinners who slump and die as a result of accumulated stress. Do you still place priority on the care of your material possession than your health? What are your two cents on this matter?
Like that cliché goes: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. An annual ‘comprehensive’ medical checkup would probably keep the nurses away as well, ‘cos I still dread those syringes like arrows infringing on my (personal) freedom!
Photo credit: graphicssoft.about.com
Damilare Aiki said:
Great Article, well thought and written….
Gbenga Awomodu said:
Thanks for visiting, Damilare.
Naijamum in L. said:
I’m loving the new template
So, so fresh
Funny how a template makes one define the author
Now I see you as young and full of life
(the old one made me feel you were a serious young man) LOL
Re: the post……Naija peeps do ignore their health – a lot
Nkwobi and Gulder is not an ideal diet for someone who wants to live long. LOL
I am due for a check up in November – and I actually dont mind needles.
Gbenga Awomodu said:
Thanks Naijamum in L.
About the themes, I see… Glad you like the new one too. 🙂
I totally agree with you on the health consciousness issue. I want to be responsible in that regards, so I’ll up for check-up this week – and I’ll brave the needles. lol Shallom!
The Relentless Builder said:
Ha ha! So you don’t like needles, ehn? I don’t either, but I prefer them to swallowing bitter medicine. I love the new template…looks fresh and clean! And you certainly got me thinking about my health today. I think we really do take our health for granted until it deteriorates. Exercising your brain with books is great and should be done regularly, but what about physical exercise? Most of us tend to associate it with weight loss, forgetting that a person might “look” healthy but may have serious health issues like high blood pressure, etc. I like the example of the breadwinner who suddenly slumps and dies (sad as it is) because we Nigerians tend to attribute such sudden complications to spiritual wickedness (a.k.a “awon aiye”), when the actual culprit is poor health choices.
Gbenga Awomodu said:
Hi TRB,
I agree with you all the way. A jab could be worth more than a dozen bitter pills, you know? True, poor health choices are responsible for so many avoidable deaths in our country today.
By the way, I just checked out your blog now, and I love the theme over there too. Well done! 🙂
Chinazar said:
Yeah! The new theme is a breath of fresh air… and the article is soooo true. Many people take health for granted. If only they knew…
Gbenga Awomodu said:
Chief Parmacist!
Hope you’re enjoying your stay in Blogville? 🙂
Myne Whitman said:
I also do not like needles but I take my health seriously. From eyes, teeth, and everything. Loading up on fruits and veg are very helpful indeed.
Love the new look.
Gbenga Awomodu said:
Thanks Myne, thought to explore the various themes WP came up with after several weeks of absence here. I was so glad to find out this theme was absolutely FREE! lol!
kookaburra said:
I personally have shying away from all things ‘hospitalish,’ truth is I will also spend more on something else than my health-i can’t even tell when last i purposely thought about my health, after all I’m alive. Nice! wish u all d best in ur appointment as an executive.
kookaburra said:
ibon ni mo lo ta o-I personally av been shying away is d sentence.